Barca face probe for fielding ‘ineligible’ Lewa

Barca face probe for fielding 'ineligible' Lewa

Espanyol have filed a complaint against Barcelona for fielding an ineligible lineup after Robert Lewandowski started Saturday’s Catalan derby.

Lewandowski, 34, was due to miss the game as the first of a three-match suspension but a Spanish court on Friday placed the ban on hold until Barca receive a final resolution to an appeal they lodged in December.

Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

The Poland striker played all 90 minutes of the fixture at Camp Nou, which ended 1-1 and saw both sides end the game with 10 men after a fiery second half.

“Espanyol have submitted a written complaint to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) against Barcelona for fielding an incorrect line-up,” a statement from the LaLiga side said on Monday.

“Before the start of the match, the club notified the match referee, Mateu Lahoz, and the RFEF about the presence of Lewandowski, who should have been fulfilling a suspension after his dismissal in the previous league game.

“We will use all the resources we have to defend the club’s interests. This flagrant injustice poses a risk to the essence of the competition and is based on a hasty resolution and clear legal mishaps.”